Symptoms and treatment of thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine

It is rarely possible to diagnose thoracic osteochondrosis of the spine (GO), unlike cervical and lumbar, which occur in every 2-3 patients aged 18 years and older. This phenomenon is explained by the special structure of the chest - the presence of a larger number of discs, which in turn have a finer structure. This part of the spine has low mobility and, accordingly, the load on it is not high, as the main "blow" is taken by the sternum together with the ribs.

The main reason why the development of thoracic pathology begins is the increase in the load on the intervertebral discs and as a result of this violation of metabolic processes, as well as their structure. . . In the presence of such a disease, the shock-absorbing properties of the disc are lost, the fibrous ring becomes thinner, dries out, after this process the nerve endings become inflamed, the person experiences constant pain, discomfort and reduced motor activity. With the rapid course of the disease affects the ligaments of the spine and joints.

Now many experts have adopted as a rule to classify osteochondrosis not by stages of the course, but by degrees, which are further distinguished by the peculiarities of the symptoms.

If we take into account the general symptoms, then osteochondrosis of the thoracic region is not so pronounced, unlike its other types, however, there is a characteristic clinical picture. So the patient may complain of the following signs:

• chest pain, often exacerbated by prolonged exposure in one position or at night;
• painful sensation between the shoulder blades as it increases with raising the arm or after exercise;
• discomfort, pain when trying to breathe deeply, this symptom is also noted on exhalation;
• when walking there is pain in the ribs and a feeling of tightness in the chest.

Such manifestations can accompany a person for several weeks, which should be considered as an exacerbation of the disease.

What other symptoms can be observed in HO? In addition to the main clinical picture, in some cases the following manifestations are possible:

• tingling in the upper extremities, a feeling of "goosebumps" passing through the skin;
• disorders of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• feeling cold in the legs, inability to warm up.

Also, the characteristic signs of such a disease are dorsago - the appearance of acute pain between the shoulder blades and dorsalgia - a syndrome of slow pain, which has no clear picture.

It should be noted that like any other type of osteochondrosis, breast disease often affects people who lead an inactive lifestyle. Constant sitting in front of the computer, stooping, heavy physical activity also become a provoking factor for the development of the disease.

How the disease manifests itself in women and men

The development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the thoracic region in patients is considered a diagnosis - thoracic osteochondrosis. In this disease there is destruction of the intervertebral discs and malnutrition in the structures of connective tissue. In addition, the circulatory process is disrupted because the chest area is inactive. And the pain syndrome itself occurs due to pinching of nerve endings during the progression of the pathology.

According to statistics, HO is diagnosed in women many times more often than in men, and at the same time at a younger age. The main reason for this phenomenon is the change in hormone levels when entering the menopausal phase. Osteoporosis, which is often found in women during menopause, is also a trigger for the development of the disease.

Therapeutic measures are developed taking into account the clinical picture of the pathology. Severe symptoms do not appear immediately, it often takes a long time to suspect the presence of the disease. In particular, it is possible to make a diagnosis in the course of a clear picture, when the symptoms have become apparent. When it comes to severe menstruation, two types of symptoms must be distinguished:

1. Development of painful sensations. . . Here we are talking about the appearance of pain in the chest area, between the shoulder blades, radiating to the solar plexus. The pain syndrome can migrate to the neck, mimicking cervical osteochondrosis and in the arm. Often women experience pain in the mammary glands, confusing them with pathologies of the breast. As a rule, pain sensations are not constant, they are painful, but at the same time they do not have intensity.
2. Blood pressure disorder. . . In osteochondrosis of the breast in women there is such a thing as hypertensive syndrome, which is characterized by high blood pressure and can provoke a hypertensive crisis. A distinctive feature of normal hypertension may be the presence of minimal effect of the use of drugs that lower blood pressure. In case you have had similar situations, you should additionally consult a vertebrologist.

In addition to the above, other signs of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the chest should be distinguished:

• Pain on the left side of the chest,not related to heart damage. . . In medical terminology, this phenomenon is called cardialgia. It is not difficult to diagnose, because with the development of such a symptom can not be stopped with the use of cardiac drugs.
• Dysfunction of the digestive system. . . Often with the onset of osteochondrosis, problems with internal organs begin, more often with the gastrointestinal tract. The most striking example is the formation of heartburn, increased acidity and a feeling of constant bloating (flatulence). Among other things, there may be problems with digestion - nausea after eating, heaviness, bloating. Against the background of all the above, the work of the chair is also impaired - frequent constipation or diarrhea.
• Respiratory disorders. . . As the dystrophic process takes place in the chest area, cases of respiratory disorders are not uncommon. All this is accompanied by unreasonable dizziness, general weakness, shortness of breath and other signs that may indirectly resemble cardiac pathology or pressure problems (arterial / intracranial).

In terms of therapy, it largely depends on the signs of the pathological process. Painkillers, including NSAIDs in the form of ointments or gels, are prescribed to relieve pain. During the period of exacerbation, muscle relaxants are more effective, reduce smooth muscle spasms, relax muscles, relieve pain syndrome, reviews of their use are positive. When the pain becomes completely unbearable, a blockade with painkillers is used.

Chest treatment

How exactly GO will manifest itself depends on the pathological changes that occur in the intervertebral discs. It is common to distinguish four stages in the course of degenerative-dystrophic disorders in the chest:

• The first. . . The symptoms are not very pronounced, but the process of dehydration of the thoracic discs has already begun. As a result, they lose their elasticity, begin to acquire a more flattened appearance, but at the same time can still withstand certain loads. Sometimes painful sensations of pain are disturbed, but not mild and often do not require the use of painkillers.
• The second. . . At this stage, the negative changes affected the fibrous ring, there are different types of damage - cracks, loss of stability. There are changes in the pain syndrome, it becomes more intrusive, palpable, increases with increasing motor activity - bending, bends.
• The third. . . On X-rays, the rupture of the fibrous ring is clearly visible and a hernia begins to form. Pain sensations become clearer, from whining can become more acute, intensified with movement and even at rest.
• Fourth. . . Spondyloarthritis is actively developing, against the background of vertebral convergence and erasure of discs. As a result, the connective tissue of the annulus fibrosus is replaced by bone tissue, which significantly limits mobility.

The clinical picture of thoracic osteochondrosis is such that it is more likely to be diagnosed with this disease:

• Pain. . . Its location is almost always in one place, often on the left. After a while, it spreads to the entire chest area, breathing becomes difficult, it becomes difficult to climb stairs or exercise.
• Increased pain. . . Strengthening occurs when turning or tilting, in general with each physical activity, the same is observed with an attempt to take a deep breath.
• Muscle spasm. . . Muscle spasm is added to the above symptoms, the contraction falls mostly in the upper back. In rare cases, such a symptom is present in the lumbar region.

Separately, it is worth noting intercostal neuralgia, which tends to last several weeks and then disappears on its own. During this time a person is accompanied by chest discomfort, aggravated by movement, discomfort when trying to inhale / exhale deeply. Women may have the impression that they have problems with the mammary glands, which will make them think about their treatment, and in men - the feeling of a foreign object behind the sternum.

It should also be noted that the whole clinical picture described above intensifies at night or after hypothermia. The next morning, as a rule, it becomes easier, but in the evening everything repeats itself.

How to treat, what methods exist, what to take? With regard to therapeutic measures, they should begin as early as possible. Often in the early stages it is possible to do even without the use of drugs, but only with regular gymnastics - therapeutic exercise.

Later stages of the pathology, in 2 stages, include the use of drugs. This includes different groups of drugs, the most popular are presented in the table below.

A group of drugs	The main action of the drug
Painkillers, analgesics	They relieve the pain syndrome, reduce its manifestation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)	Eliminate inflammation, relieve pain, swelling.
Chondroprotectors	They increase the production of intra-articular secretions, slow down the process of cartilage destruction and reduce the manifestation of the inflammatory process.
Muscle relaxants	They reduce skeletal muscle tone, have a relaxing effect and help to effectively deal with back pain.
Soothing, soothing	For more effective therapy, as severe pain can provoke stress, which worsens the effect of treatment.

In addition to the main drugs, a course of vitamin drugs is recommended.

In case the whole clinical picture worsens, the main goal of therapy will be to alleviate the symptoms. For more pronounced and rapid action, analgesic drugs are prescribed in the form of injections, as well as steroid type.

After eliminating the exacerbation and achieving stability of the condition, it is necessary to start basic therapy. A fairly wide range of drugs can be prescribed, as only a complex effect on the disease can give positive results.

The main drugs are described in the table above, then in more detail about them. Thus, the main treatment will include the appointment of such drugs:

• Chondroprotectors.They are used in the form of tablets and for topical therapy, in the form of ointments or gels. It is impossible to exclude the use of such drugs, they are the basis for complete therapy. Their action is aimed at inhibiting the process of destruction of cartilage tissue and further progression of dystrophic changes. In addition, they increase the regenerative capacity of cartilage. However, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology with the help of such a drug, it should not be considered a panacea.
• Vasodilator. . . They are needed to improve blood circulation and nutrition in the affected area. Most often, a very effective drug is prescribed, which improves blood microcirculation, helps to cope with pain that occurs at rest.
• Local therapy. . . Ointments or gels are prescribed for the best effect. Thus, good results can only be achieved with the help of a complex effect, therefore when prescribing NSAIDs and chondroprotectors it is common to additionally recommend ointments from the same pharmacological groups. Creams based on bee or snake venom are also popular, they have a pronounced analgesic effect and are a good addition to the main therapy.
• vitamins. . . In particular, B vitamins are prescribed. They have analgesic properties, help to cope with inflammatory processes and nerve endings.
• Necessarily, along with the effect of the drug, a course of physiotherapy, therapeutic massage, exercise is prescribed.

What other therapeutic methods should be included in the treatment of osteochondrosis of the chest? An experienced professional will strongly recommend the following techniques:

• magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, healing mud;
• complex of physiotherapeutic exercises;
• acupuncture, acupressure.

It is also recommended to adhere to a certain diet, you should exclude the use of alcohol, spicy foods, reduce salt intake.

Particular attention should be paid to therapeutic gymnastics, it should be performed daily and preferably several times a day. Please note that the set of exercises is developed individually by the attending physician - orthopedist or traumatologist. Physical education is performed in the absence of exacerbations, when there is no severe pain, in case of acute pain syndrome should be observed maximum rest.

Sports with osteochondrosis are not the last thing. With this pathology, it is important to regularly perform all the prescribed exercises that will strengthen the muscles and will positively affect the outcome of treatment.

We must also mention traditional medicine. On the Internet you can find many recipes based on natural ingredients. It is not recommended to get involved with folk remedies as an independent method, due to the fact that their effectiveness will be minimal and in many cases zero. However, in addition to basic therapy, folk remedies may be recommended. The following homemade recipes are known:

• Ingredients for the first: 3 tablespoons rye flour, 1 tablespoon turpentine and a teaspoon of iodine and garlic. Mix everything thoroughly and use as an ointment at night.
• For the second: 5 tablets of metamizole sodium and 5 ml of camphor alcohol. Bring the tablets to a powder, then pour the alcohol and apply overnight in the form of applications.

The needle applicator is considered another alternative therapy. Its action is aimed at reducing the pain syndrome by massaging with a needle.

In the event that all the described methods of therapy did not give the desired result or it turned out that it was not long-lasting, the question of prescribing surgery is resolved. Surgery is necessary when it is not possible to eliminate the pain syndrome, the degenerative-dystrophic process continues to develop, while at the same time there are negative changes in the functioning of internal organs. If your doctor still recommends that you have surgery, then you should not refuse immediately. Timely intervention will allow you to get rid of such a problem, to fully restore the work of the organs and to exclude the further development of complications.

Surgery usually involves two stages. The first is aimed at eliminating the cause - decompression, which eliminates the pain syndrome. The second stage is the subsequent stabilization of the spine.

Chest osteochondrosis is a serious pathology that can not only disrupt the musculoskeletal system, but also adversely affect systems and organs.

It is important to monitor your own health, take preventative measures, follow your diet and be sensible about physical activity. Regular exercise is an effective prevention of osteochondrosis, but remember that any load should be moderate.

Treatment of cervicothoracic type

Osteochondrosis of the cervicothoracic region is not considered an independent pathology. In this case, we are talking about a set of disorders that occur in the intervertebral discs and are able to affect muscle tissue and nearby organs.

Cervical-thoracic osteochondrosis is far from uncommon, more than 20% of diagnoses are due to this disease. The disease is very insidious, the diversity of the clinical picture in many cases makes the doctor suspect other diseases that are not related to the spine. For example, a doctor may suggest the presence of angina pectoris, recommend taking a drug that in the end simply will not work, and worst of all, it will negatively affect the state of the heart system. For this reason, it is very important to distinguish osteochondrosis from pathologies of internal organs. Thus, dystrophic disorders in the cervicothoracic region are characterized by the following signs:

• frequent headaches;
• loss of strength followed by dizziness;
• pain in the neck, flowing into the shoulders, shoulders, muscle stiffness;
• compression of the roots of the intercostal nerves, hence the pain syndrome, as well as its exacerbation;
• blood pressure disorders, there may be decreases from hypertension to hypotension, more common in women;
• decreased visual acuity, hearing problems (hearing loss);
• in men, a decrease in potency with nervous overload on the background of the disease.

An important point is the formulation of the correct diagnosis, a number of diagnostic measures will be needed here, which will include: X-ray examination, ultrasound, MRI, CT.

Comprehensive treatment is mandatory and should include:

• medicines;
• various physiotherapeutic techniques;
• physiotherapy;
• non-traditional therapy (acupressure, acupuncture).

It is also important to take care of non-drug measures, for example: to reduce physical activity, which includes minimizing the load, changing the mattress and buying an orthopedic pillow.

Atypical symptoms, sensations and pain

In addition to the typical pain that occurs with osteochondrosis of the chest, there are many atypical pains that cannot be associated with spinal diseases. However, you should be aware of them:

• Heart pain. . . Often in such pathology, heart pain occurs, while mimicking heart attacks. One of the distinguishing features is their duration. Unlike real heart pain, osteochondrosis is a long-lasting pain that can last for several weeks. In addition, the use of traditional medicines does not reduce the onset of pain. This is where it is worth thinking about the presence of other pathology that is not related to the heart.
• Imitationpathologies of the mammary glands. . . This clinical picture is directly relevant to patients. Often, thoracic osteochondrosis makes a person think of breast disease, as a woman may experience chest pain extending to the glands for a long time. Identifying the true cause of such a symptom, or at least to rule out problems with the mammary glands is possible only after examination by a mammologist.
• Abdominal pain. . . This symptom makes a person suspect the presence of gastritis and other diseases of the digestive system. The gastroenterologist may mistakenly diagnose pancreatitis or cholecystitis. It is possible to refute or confirm such diagnoses with the help of an in-depth examination.
• In addition to these signs, the patient may feel pronouncedchest discomfortdescribed as possessing a foreign object. It is often difficult to take a deep breath or exhale, the feeling that it is impossible to inhale deeply, shortness of breath with little physical activity.

The process of treatment of degenerative-dystrophic diseases is not easy, it requires a long time, effort on the part of the patient and qualification on the part of the attending physician.

Be sure to consult your doctor before treating diseases. This will help to take into account individual tolerability, confirm the diagnosis, make sure that the treatment is correct and exclude negative drug interactions. If you use prescriptions without consulting your doctor, then it is entirely at your own risk. All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical assistance. You are solely responsible for the application.